Heart of Wisconsin
Business & Economic Alliance and
Community Foundation of
South Wood County
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A Joint Initiative Between Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and Community Foundation of South Wood County |
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Breaking News September, 2006 - Study Tours By: Connie Loden When The Ford Foundation committed to assisting the Community Progress Initiative, they encouraged us to take people out of the community to look at innovative and successful community development happening in other regions in the US and abroad. As a result the Community Progress Initiative is coordinating two exciting study tours this fall, providing opportunities for area residents to get a first hand look at what other regions are doing to “make it happen” in their communities. October 4-8 – Promoting Area Arts & Culture in North Carolina The Study Tour to North Carolina, will focus on Arts and Culture, Downtown Revitalization, Heritage and Nature Based Tourism. The tour will be hosted by The Rural Center, which delivers the Small Towns Program in North Carolina, In March of 2006, they selected 33 communities to be a part of their program that delivers a variety of support resources assisting communities to sustain their vitality and encourage entrepreneurship. One of the area’s programs, “Handmade in America” is well known across the US as a best practice example of linking together and promoting local artisans to stimulate new growth in the economy. The dates for the tour are October 4-8 and the cost will be $950, which includes lodging, transportation, most meals, tour leader and programming. November 3-12 – Regional Innovation Study Tour to Ireland Visit regions successfully embarking on unique and distinct approaches to building local businesses, developing and connecting industries and creating synergies between agriculture, value added production, tourism and technology based businesses as a participant in this Regional Innovation Study Tour to Ireland. This study tour will explore fascinating regional initiatives in Ireland – West Cork and Monaghan Counties – in addition to experiencing the contrasting cultural differences of Belfast and Northern Ireland versus Dublin and areas to the South. The tour will focus on regional strategies of: • Creating and fostering entrepreneurial industry networks and partnerships. • Regional branding - turning local agricultural produce and character into a food and tourism experience. • Stimulating a local culture of leadership, innovation and small business networks. • Education’s role in economic development and growing a technology industry. • Community philanthropy and building community capacity for self-reliance. The tour will provide an in-depth learning experience, with the opportunity to learn first hand how the regional revitalization is occurring. The itinerary will include site visits, discussions with local leaders and detailed insights into the regional program design and function. People interested in agriculture production and using local food to create new markets and economic advantage, technology based business development, regional branding, tourism, arts and culture, will want to join us for this tour. Participation with other members of the community creates a shared vision for how to adapt and apply these ideas and concepts on return. The cost of the Study Tour to Ireland runs $2250 plus airfare (approximately $550 from Minneapolis to Dublin) for a total cost in the range of $2800, which includes lodging, most meals, tour leaders, programming and ground transportation. Airfare is handled separately to allow for people who want to extend their travel. If you are interested in participating in either of the study tours, please contact Connie Loden, at 715-423-1830 or cloden@heartofwi.com Don’t delay -- Reservations are on a first come first served basis. |
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